Bharat Mata Portrait Row: High Court Closes Contempt Plea Against Kerala University VC For Defying Order To Reinstate Registrar

Justice Viju Abraham, closed the contempt petition on the request of the counsel for the contempt petitioner.

“Counsel for the Petitioner submits that no further orders are required in this case. Accordingly, the above contempt case is closed.” the Court ordered.

Previously, the Court had ordered personal appearance of the Vice-Chancellor for failing to implement the University Syndicate's decision to reinstate Prof. Dr. K. S. Anil Kumar as the Registrar of the University. The order for appearance was later deferred.

The Registrar was suspended by the VC in July 2025 for cancelling a seminar to be attended by the Governor, amid clashes between different Students' Unions over display of 'Bharat Mata' portrait with a saffron flag, purportedly giving the impression of a Hindu goddess.

A syndicate meeting was convened following his suspension, in which he was reinstated as the Registrar. Despite the formal revocation, the VC issued fresh directions asserting that the Registrar remained in suspension.

The Registrar approached the High Court challenging his continued suspension despite a formal revocation of the same by the University Syndicate. He also sought to quash several orders issued by the Vice Chancellor that prevented him from rejoining duty. The High Court disposed of the petition by directing the Vice Chancellor to constitute a syndicate meeting through Registrar-in-Charge to decide whether the suspension should continue.

On failure of the Vice-Chancellor to convene the meeting, the syndicate members, approached the High Court seeking convening of the syndicate meeting. This petition was disposed of since it was informed the meeting was scheduled on November 1, 2025.

The syndicate meeting on November 1, revoked the suspension, but the Vice-Chancellor has placed the matter before the Chancellor for his concurrence, without complying with the decision of the Syndicate.

During the pendency of the petition, Dr. K. S. Anil Kumar has been transferred to his parent Department in Kumbalathu Sankupillai Memorial Devaswom Board College(KSMDB), Sasthamkotta.

A writ petition seeking revocation of Suspension is still pending before the High Court.

The contempt petition is now disposed of with the liberty for the petitioners to challenge the order of the Vice Chancellor in fresh petition.

Case Title: Prof. Dr. K.S. Anilkumar v Dr. Mohan Kunnummal

Case No: Con. Case(C) 2424/ 2025

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 303

Counsel for Petitioner: Elvin Peter P.J (Sr.), K. R. Ganesh, Adarsh Babu C.S, Ahsana E, Ashik H. Varghese

Counsel for Respondent: Girija K Gopal